Menu

Since starting menopause a few years ago I find my life, my spirit, my body, my soul and my mind are going through different phases.

In Phase One I became an obsessive QVC shopper. I was not a shopper, I hated going to the Mall, I didn’t watch QVC and I only bought things when necessary…well that was…until a few years ago. One day, as I was flipping through the tv channels, something caught my attention on QVC and the rest, as they say, is history. In addition to that, I had lost a lot of weight. I had quit smoking and was afraid of gaining weight so I started working out, I went from a size medium to an extra small. I have now moved beyond that phase and am no longer a shopaholic nor am I exercising at the moment. This leaves me with shelves of clothes, all extra small, that no longer fit me as I am back to being a size medium. Anybody an extra small?

Phase Two found me reading, watching, meditating and listening to everything that had to do with creating my own reality, setting goals and thinking about becoming a life coach. I listened to Louise Hay, Esther Hicks (Abraham), Tony Robbins, Joel Osteen, Oprah and Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Napoleon Hill and so many more. I learned about the Law of Attraction, something I had not heard of before, but soon began practicing. Here is the definition of The Law of Attraction according to Wikipedia…The law of attraction is the name given to the maxim “like attracts like” which in New Thought philosophy is used to sum up the idea that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts a person brings positive or negative experiences into their life.

This deck of cards is enchantingly beautiful!

I now find myself shifting from Phase Two into Phase Three, where all things spiritual in the manner of Tarot Cards, Horoscope, Reiki, Angels, Guides, and God are calling to me. I’m drawn to the moon and moon phases, learning about new moons, waxing moons, waning moons, full moons, blue moons and black moons. I’ve looked up my Rising Sun – Scorpio, my MC (Medium Coeli or Midheaven sign) – Leo. My sun is Libra, my moon is Aries, and that’s just the zodiac portion of Phase Three. There’s an enormous amount to learn regarding Tarot and Reiki also and I find it all so fascinating. When I stop and think about this, I’ve actually been interested in these things my whole life…perhaps I’m being led back to my passion and my new career.

I burn Reiki candles, have purchased crystals, rocks, pendulums and various decks of mystical cards. I recently purchased the Mystical Wisdom Card Deck, pictured above. These cards are gorgeous and there is so much going on in each picture, I love them! Also there are thousands of YouTube channels you can watch for Tarot readings, Horoscope readings, and all sorts of information.

As I look back at these phases it seems to me that I am evolving. I started with Louise Hay and affirmations and am now listening more to my inner-self, angels and God. It’s been an enlightening journey, one I look forward to continuing.

For those of you who have meandered (or are meandering) through menopause, do you recall going through different “phases”? Did your desires and lifestyle continuously evolve into various areas? There is such a thing as male menopause so men don’t be shy, tell of your experiences too. If you so choose, please share…I’m curious.

Post navigation

44 thoughts on “Ebbs and Flows of Menopause”

Menopause was long enough ago for me that I’ve, thankfully, forgotten any phases. What I do remember oh-so clearly, though, is the most frequent comment from my daughters. In the middle of winter and as they closed the outside kitchen door, they would turn and say, in unison, ‘Mum you’re the only one here who’s hot’. Oh, and a couple of years ago, I found a booklet titled something like ‘How to live with someone going through menopause’. 🙂

That’s very nice that you feel comfortable talking about the different phases you have been going through with menopause. I don’t feel comfortable talking about it. Maybe because mine isn’t easy to explain. It is interesting what drew your attention during the phases you have been through so far. Thank you for sharing that! A lot of people, no doubt, will be able to relate.

I know that chemicals are released and that’s what causes us to become crazy, manic, cry, HOT, but I find it interesting how it’s also dictating what interests me…hmmm maybe there’s a book in that!! I’m sure of it and I’m sure someone has written about it before too!! Thanks PJ!! xo 🙂

OMG – I couldn’t believe the QVC! I think it was something about the female companionship and finding some way to fill an empty hole. I had hysterectomy at 30 but left with ovaries, so it was less distinguishable by physical symptoms. But I remember freezing as I crawled under the down comforter and moments later throwing off all covers. As a single woman, I thought how inconvenient all the sweating would be if I had to share a bed. LOL Another part of this phase was a feeling a little less sharp – I always worked through every problem, but found myself stuck in things, like a deer in the headlights. After raising two kids on my own, I wondered if I could take care of just me. I also had a movie phase. Queen Latifa in Last Holiday was something I watched over and over again. Then there was Under the Tuscan Sun.. till I was sick of it. I found my way through small steps. I always prayed a lot. When little breakthroughs happened I realized the mustard seed of faith deal is true. It sounds to me like your experience of menopause is facilitating a spiritual awakening. 🙂 It reminds me of myself 2 years ago, as I was first starting to come back around. My sense of humor returned and I started a daily journal. Then last September, jupiter moved into my sign and the rest… (BTW – Jupiter is about to move into Libra – it’s your turn!) love, in lak’ech, Debra

OMG is right!! My sister said she experienced the same thing as far as online shopping went, she said she bought any and everything, whether she needed it or not. And most times not! I wonder what it is that causes us to shop like that??? Yes I throw the covers off and on all night long too!!! And sometimes when having a hot flash, I can’t get my bangs off my forehead fast enough, for some reason they really annoy me!!! HA~ isn’t it so funny when you stop and look at it!!! As far as watching something over and over…I’ve been hooked on watching the Gilmore Girls every night, starting at suppertime and running until 9 or sometimes even 10. I think I’ve watched every season about 10 times already…hee hee. I believe it’s facilitating a spiritual awakening too! I pray to God and the Angels all the time, trying to get my anxiety in check especially! I DO know that Jupiter is entering Libra and I’m so excited about that too…this past year and a half has been a doozy and I’m so glad it’s over and good things are about to happen!! I thought about whether I wanted to post this or not and what people would think, but then I decided I want to always be honest and I can’t be the only one who is experiencing this so I decided to share. I hope I help many people but even one is worth it!! Thank you so much for sharing…xo Love in lak’ech Deb!!

I still occasionally get hot flashes but I did not do any power shopping! But my thyroid failed right about the time I started menopause and I did go through a period of heart palpitations and ER visits where I thought I might be having a heart attack. I’m happy to say it was not, but I was diagnosed with GAD and started taking an antianxiety medication, Effexor. One of the lucky side effects is curbing hot flashes!

Wow isn’t it amazing what the body does. You missed out on the power shopping, that’s too bad!! Sorry to hear it was offset by thyroid, heart and GAD issues…however the silver lining was the medication helped your hot flashes. Did you take any medications with estrogen or progesterone?

I briefly took a bioidentical progesterone, I remember, for a thickening of the uterine lining before menopause, not for hot flashes. Mine were not severe as some can be. And the heart palpitations stopped with getting my thyroid meds to a good level, as well as adding the Effexor. But my mom and sis (both hypothyroidism like me) both went through heart palpitations, also. Once I have the breast cancer surgery I’ll be on a hormone suppressant, so docs are telling me hot flashes may pick up. Yay! 🙂

The reason I ask is because my mother did, it was a combo pill of both, I believe. The Drs. believe that this is what caused her breast cancer, as we have no history of breast cancer in our family until her. So I will not take any hormones to help me with my hot flashes or anxiety as I am afraid of getting breast cancer. It was also to help her mood swings…which I definitely could use help with…ugh!
Oh boy so now you get to possibly deal with hot flashes again…aren’t you dealing with enough? Yikes!! xo

I think from what I’ve read the new thinking is to take hormones for as short a time as possible to help menopausal symptoms. My mom never took any hormones and developed breast cancer in her late 70s! Docs said 50s and 60s is just when breast cancer can appear, damage to DNA, aging, exposure to BPA, etc. But I totally understand why you wouldn’t want to take anything. I’m hoping hot flashes may not be too bad again. My mom was the only person on her side of the family with breast cancer, no history at all. I’m just a statistic, really, I think it might be one in eight. Maybe they will learn more as time goes on, but early detection is the best thing right now I think! But, seriously, I’m good, staying positive xoxo

I hope the hot flashes aren’t bad and maybe not at all for you! I totally agree with that early detection is the key and all that I know who have had it detected early have all had successful results!! Love your positive attitude…that will go a long way with your healing!! xo 🙂

I cannot say that I am experiencing phases as I am on this journey. (not so that I can tell anyway….my husband might have a different opinion).
I have not had to much problem with hot flashes but night sweats are my issue. I really hate them as they can make a good night of sleep nearly impossible…..Maybe that is why I have not had the urge to power shop??? I have been too tired?
. I have been trying a product called Progessence Plus from Young Living. It seems to level me out. I am all for staying level :).

Oh yeah night sweats…aren’t they just a slice of heaven!! It’s been about a month or so since I’ve had to change what I’m wearing during the middle of the night and flip my pillow over!! I can’t remember the last time I had a “good” night of sleep. The power shopping started first then the hot flashes and night sweats followed…maybe that’s why I had more energy..lol! Hmmm are there any hormones in that? I’m so afraid to try anything, but some days are so hard. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Now go get your husband…heehee 😉 xo

I put one drop on my wrist and then put it against my other wrist and rub them together and up my arm. I have also put a drop on the base of my throat. If nothing else I smell nice :). It takes a bit of time and using it to notice the difference. Any question ask away!!

Loved this Deb. Thankfully, I am past menopause now! I think herbal medicine helped me the most with individually tailored herbs from a herbalist, taken as a combination tincture. It took time but got me there. I love QVCUK for clothes shopping as I find shops very overwhelming and tiring. I can plan my wardrobe better, although there are a lot of temptations…

But it is interesting to know the three phases.
I feel it is natural.
One who is close to nature shall have that contact of natural things. Wont you think so.
Now, do not catch up with the fourth one. Laugh! Laugh !! Laugh !!!
Shiva
Hugs

Thank you for the link I shall read it when I have more time this week. Yes I agree, I believe it’s completely natural too. Yes that’s true, one who is in tune with nature probably would be attracted to natural things. I think I’ll wallow in Phase three for a while!! LOL!
Deb
xo